Brake.



No. 807,291 PATENTBD DEC. 12, 1905. H. T. LAMBERT.

BRAKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13,1905.

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No. 807,291 PATENTED DEC. 12, 1905. H; T. LAMBERT.

BRAKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13,1905.

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H. T. LAMBERT.

BRAKE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 13.1905.

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BRAKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905 Application filed May 13, 1905. Serial No. 260,293.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER T. LAMBERT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Thacker, in the county of Mingo and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in braking mechanism designed particularly for application to mining-cars or the like.

The main object of the invention is the provision of braking mechanism designed to operatively engage the wheels of a mining-car or the like constructed and arranged to permit convenient control thereof by the operator.

Another object is the provision of means whereby the braking contact of the shoe may be gaged as desired and maintained in such relation at the convenience of the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby brake shoes are moved as a whole toward and from the wheels in the operation of the braking mechanism, whereby sticking or binding of said shoe is prevented.

With the above objects in view the invention consists in certain details of structure and combinations of parts, as will be described in the following specification with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a miningcar, illustrating the application thereto of my improved braking mechanism. Fig. 2 is a Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a transverse central section of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective showing the brake-rod, connected shoe, and operating-rods. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of the operating lever. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective showing a modified form of operating-rod.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, my improved braking mechanism is shown asapplied to a mining-car 1, having the usual converging sides 2 and hinged rear end 3, the latter being suitably secured in position by a lever 4, carrying a pin 5. The bottom of the car 6 is provided with the usual transversely arranged axles 7, carrying-fiange-wheels 8 for cooperation with a suitable track, all of which parts may be of any usual or preferred construction, as they form no material part of my present invention' The braking mechanism of my invention comprises brake-shoes 9, arranged on opposite sides of the car and curved at 10 adjacent each end of the shoes to cooperate with the tread of the wheels, it being understood that a single block or shoe is arranged for coop eration with each pair of wheels on each side of the car. Each block is provided with a brace strip 11, arranged vertically of and transverse the block, projecting below the lower surface of the bolck in the form of a stud 12, designed to engage .an opening 13, formed in a supporting-bar 14, secured transverse of and beneath the car-body. By this construction the shoe is compelled to move in vertical lines in the operation of the braking mechanism, thereby preventing sticking of the block when the brakes are released. The upper end of the reinforcing-strip 11 is formed to provide vertically-projecting parallel ears 15, between which is pivotally sup' ported a right-angle end 16 of the brake-rod 17. The brake-rod is arranged longitudinally of the car, projecting toward the front thereof, and is supported in bearings 18, fixed 0 the side of the car, as clearly shown in So far as described the braking mechanism on the opposite sides of the car is in duplicate, providing a broke-shoe vertically movable in operation and pivotally connected to a right-angle extension of the brakerod, which is revolubly mounted on the side of the car. The brake-rod 17 on one side of the car is provided at its forward end with a transversely-arranged bar 19, which may, if desired, be formed integral with a brake-rod. The upper and lower ends thereof are connected to operatin -rods 20 21, respectively, preferably forme in two sections and threaded for engagement by the ordinary turnbuckle 22 for initial adjustment of the brake-shoes with relation to the wheels. The brake-rod on the opposite side of the car is provided with a depending arm 23, contiguous its forward end, which arm is pivotally connected to the upper operating-rod 20, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The brakerod on this side of the car projects beyond the front end of the car and is terminally supported in a brace or bearing-strip 24, secured to the car-body.

25 represents the operating-lever, preferably comprising a single strip of material, bent at its free end to provide a foot-rest 26 and projected at the opposite end to provide a right-angled arm 27-. The lever is pivotally mounted at the junction of its main length with the arm 27 on the projecting end of the brake-rod 17, intermediate the arm 23 of said brake-rod and the bearing-support 24, suitable spacing sleeves 28 being arranged on the brake-rod to properly position the operating-lever. The terminal of the arm 27 of the operating-lever is connected to the lower operating-rod 21, whereby to set or release the braking mechanism through the operation of said lever. Intermediate 'its ends the operating-lever is provided with a late 29, projecting beyond the plane of said ever to provide a toothed edge 30.

31 represents what I term a lockingframe, comprising a notched bar 32 and vertical and horizontal frame -bearings connected therewith, the vertical frame-bar being supported in alinement with the notched bar, but spaced therefrom to permit movement of the lever between said frame-bar and notched bar. The locking-frame is suitably supported on the front of the car to arrange the notched bar 32 with cooperation with the edge 30 of the plate 29, secured on the operating-lever, whereby said lever may be locked in adjusted position with relation to said braking mechanism. The vertical frame-bearing serves as a guide for the movement of the lever and prevents accidental movement thereof in a forward direction to avoid locking engagement with the notched bar. The upper end of the notched bar 32 is formed with a recess 33 of suitable depth to receive the operating-lever and serving to maintain said lever elevated in normal po sition when desired and guarding against accidental setting of the brakes.

Assuming the parts as constructed and arranged as described, the operator designed to apply the brakes would depress the operating-lever 25 by foot-pressure exerted on the foot-rest 26. This operation draws the connecting-rod 21 toward the pivotal connection of the lever, thereby rocking the brake-rod 17 on one side of the car to force the shoe 9,

connected therewith, into braking contact with the wheels. As the brake-rod operated is connected by the bar 19 with the upper connecting-rod 20, said connecting -rod is moved in a direction reverse to the movement of the connecting-rod 21. The opposite end of the rod 20 being connected to the arm 23 of the brake-rod 17 on the opposite side of the car, the latter brake-rod will also be operated to force its connected shoe into braking contact with the contiguous wheels. The operating-lever is locked in desired position by engagement of the plate 29 with the notched bar 32, as will be evident, whereby any desired braking action may be main tained.

It will be noted that a depression of the operating-lever effectively and simultane ously rocks both of the brake-rods 17, and thereby forces'the connected shoes into contact with the wheels, and owing to the peculiar arrangement of the connecting-rods 20 and 21 with the respective braking-rods the latter are subjected to the minimum of strain during the braking operation. Through suitable manipulation of the turnbuckles 22 the connecting-rods 20 and 21 are designed to be initially so adjusted as to normally maintain the braking-shoes just clear of contact with the wheels, whereby a minimum of movement of the braking-lever is suflicient to set the brakes. It will be further noted that the brake-shoes in operation move vertically and bodily to and from the braking position, whereby sticking or undesirable contact after operation to release the brakes is avoided.

Vhile I have shown and described my improved braking mechanism as primarily designed for use'in connection with miningcars, it is obvious that it is equally efficient and durable for use with other vehicles.

While I prefer to form the operating-rods 20 and 21 in sections suitably connected by turnbuckles to provide for initial adjustment, it is evident that the purposes of the invention may be fully subserved by the use of a single length of connecting-rod, as illustrated at 34 in Fig. 8. The ends of the rod are provided with the usual forked portions 35 for engagement with the respective brake-rods and operating-lever, a plurality of transverselyarranged holes 36 in the forked ends providing for the desirable initial adjustment in an obvious manner.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a vehicle, of a braking mechanism therefor, comprising brake-shoes, brake-rods mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, and a lever pivotally mounted on one of said brake-rods, and means to operate both of said brake-rods in the operation of the lever.

2. The combination with a vehicle, of a braking mechanism comprising brake-rods revolublymounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes connected with said rods, a lever pivoted on one side of said rods, and means connecting said lever and the other of said rods.

3. The combination with a vehicle, of a braking mechanism therefor comprising brake-rods revolubly mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes connected with said rods, means for operating the rods, and means for independently supportin and guiding the brake-shoes to insure their irect I 30 vertical movement in the operation of the rods.

4. The combination with a vehicle, of braking mechanism therefor, comprising brake-rods revolubly mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes carried by said rods, means for operating the rods, cross-bars carried by the vehicle, and the studs depending from the brake-shoe and en gaging said cross-rods.

5. The combination With a vehicle of braking mechanism therefor comprising brakerods revolubly mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes connected with said rods, a lever loosely mounted on one of said rods, means connected with said lever with the other of said rods, and means connecting the respective brake-rods.

6. The combination with a vehicle of braking mechanism therefor comprising brakerods revolubly mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes connected with said rods, a lever loosely mounted on one of said rods, means connecting the respective brakerods, and means for locking the lever in adjusted position.

7. The combination with a vehicle, of a braking mechanism therefor comprising brake-rods revolubly mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes connected to said rod, an operating-lever loosely mounted on one of sai rods, a connecting-rod intermediate the lever and the other of said brakerods, and a connecting-rod joining both of said rod, an operating-lever loosely mounted on one of said rods, a connecting-rod intermediate the lever and the other of said brakerods, and a connecting-rod joining both of said brake-rods, whereby operation of the lever will rock both of said brake-rods, and means for locking the lever in adjusted position.

9. The combination with a vehicle, of a braking mechanism therefor comprising brake-rods revolubly mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle, brake-shoes connected to said rod, an operating-lever loosely mounted on one of said rods, a connecting-rod intermediate the lever and the other of said brake rods, and a connecting-rod joining both of said brake-rods, whereby operation of the lever will rock both of said brake-rods, a notched bar secured to the vehicle, and a plate secured to the operating-lever and arranged to engage said notched bar.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOMER T. LAMBERT.

Witnesses:

M. S. LAMBERT, M. H. GILREUTH. 

